Excursions in Croatia

12 excursions available

Agrigente

We'll leave by coach to explore Agrigento, one of the most beautiful Grecian cities in Sicily. You'll discover the Valley of the Temples, located on a hill overlooking the sea. It's a one-of-a-kind archaeological site with inestimable wealth of history, artifacts, and ruins.Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Valley of the Temples contains several Doric temples dating back to as early as the 5th century BC. The best-preserved temple from ancient Greece is the Doric-columned Temple of Concordia. This tour is truly a step back in time. Our excursion will finish up in Agrigento's historic center, strolling through its narrow streets to observe the churches and palaces where ancient cultures succeeded one another—each leaving their indelible mark. Afterwards, enjoy some free time on your own to wander the streets of this fascinating city. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

4h00Authentic

Included

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Trapani

You'll visit Trapani, located at the western tip of Sicily. The splendid historic center of the city is overflowing with buildings and churches from various eras— the most majestic being the 15th-century cathedral. Explore the narrow streets within the Old Town and admire monuments such as the Ligny Tower, built between 1671 and 1672 on a strategic outlook to defend the city from the legendary Barbary pirates. Then, enjoy a stroll along the Mura di Tramontana, the ancient fortifications. Then, you will head to Erice, a charming medieval village perched on top of a hill. You will wander through its cobbled streets, discover its ancient churches, and enjoy spectacular views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

3h30Authentic

Included

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Dubrovnik's City Walls

The walls of Dubrovnik, built between the 12th and 17th centuries, are the best-preserved medieval fortified walls in the world. They were initially erected to protect Ragusa, a powerful coastal city-state, from foreign invasions. You'll discover these famous two-kilometer ramparts encircling the old part of the city, along with towers, bastions, and imposing fortresses. During this guided walk, you'll enjoy spectacular views at every turn as you explore several of the bastions and towers. The tour will end overlooking Dubrovnik’s old harbor, where you can enjoy a refreshing and relaxing moment. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

4h00Experience

Included

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Monreale

You'll head for Monreale, located on the southwestern slope of Monte Caputo on the western end of the island. Your first stop will be the Monreale Cathedral, built in 1174 and now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a spectacular combination of Norman, Arab, and Byzantine architecture and known for its very impressive gold mosaics from the 8th century. At the time, the mosaics were created for parishioners who could not read so that they could learn about the Catholic religion through elaborate illustrations.The cathedral's design marks the peak of Arab-Norman art. Its original architecture and unique structure make it an architectural masterpiece considered as one of the most important medieval churches in the world. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

3h30Authentic

Included

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The Meteora

Discover one of the most spectacular sites in Greece. Although the original town of Kalambaka was destroyed during World War II, the Meteora monasteries remained intact on the summit of the rocks. The caves in the rocks were inhabited by hermit monks in the 9th century AD. They began to build monasteries in the 11th century, and at its peak in the 16th century, there were 24. Today, there are now six functioning monasteries still inhabited by either nuns or monks. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

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Ortygia

One of the most fascinating cities in Sicily awaits us today. The 2,700-year-old city of Syracuse played a key role in ancient times when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world. You'll visit Ortygia, the small island that is the historical center of the city. You'll come across the majestic ruins of the Greek Temple of Apollo, the Piazza Archimede, and the Piazza Duomo, an elliptical open space lined with harmonious and impressive buildings. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

3h00Authentic

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Bari

Bari sits on the fertile coast facing the sea and serves as a gateway to the Adriatic. Its medieval, well-preserved old town contains a labyrinth of streets and alleys, along with beautiful palaces and several Roman monuments. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

3h00Authentic

Included

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Mystras

Mystras, a marvelous wonder in the Peloponnese listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the center of Byzantine power in the 13th century. Developed along the hillside under an existing fortress, the city's influence helped it develop culturally and politically over several hundred years. We'll see the 14th-century Brontochion Monastery and the 15th-century Pantanassa Monastery, with beautiful interior frescoes. On our way back, we'll stop in Sparta, synonymous with the military glory of ancient Greece. While Athens was known for its philosophers, Sparta was famous for its military strength. Sparta remained a prominent Peloponnesian power until losing its independence in 192 BC. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

4h30Authentic

Included

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Herculaneum

Herculaneum's fate runs parallel to Pompeii. Destroyed by an earthquake in 62 AD, the subsequent eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD saw it submerged in a sea of mud that essentially fossilized the city. Uncovered in 1709, it is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll leave by coach to visit the ruins and get a good idea of how ancient Romans lived. The excellent state of preservation is due to the rapid invasion of the lava flow, which prevented the buildings from collapsing. This meant that even delicate items, such as furniture and clothing, were discovered remarkably well preserved. Mosaics carved and painted frescoes, marble fountains and sinks, exquisite tile floors, and beautifully carved statues can be found throughout the city. Enjoy some free time on your own before returning to the ship in Naples. PLEASE NOTE Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

3h00Authentic

Included

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Lecce

Lecce is, quite simply, a Baroque masterpiece. So much so that it has its own name: barocco leccese. Nicknamed “The Florence of the South,” the city is overflowing with rich, historical monuments. At each corner, you’ll find a palace or church built from the soft, workable limestone that is easy to sculpt. Among the many architectural splendors we’ll see from the outside are the buildings in the Piazza del Duomo—including the Duomo, Bishop’s Palace, and Seminary Palace—the Roman amphitheater excavated after World War II, and the Basilica di Santa Croce. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

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Athens and the Acropolis

We’ll set off by coach with our guides for the Athens Acropolis, situated on a 150m-high rocky plateau and which in Ancient times was a vast sanctuary for the worship of the Goddess Athena and numerous other gods in Greek mythology. You will have the chance to discover the different temples on the site including the Parthenon, built in the 5th century BC and dedicated to Athena, whose gold and ivory statue stood in the sanctuary. It was destroyed during the siege of the city during the 12th century crusades, and the Parthenon was turned into a Catholic church when the Franks occupied Athens, then into a mosque by the Turks in the 17th century. You will also visit a number of other remarkable monuments still standing such as the Erechtheion, an elegant little temple dating back to the 5th century BC; the Temple of Athena Nike, known in Ancient Greece as the "temple of victory"; the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis; the ancient Theatre of Dionysos and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus... You will then return to the coach to finish off with a panoramic tour of the modern city of Athens, also taking in the Agora, the center of public life for the ancient Athenians. This square open space served a variety of purposes: political, religious, economic, commercial and cultural. PLEASE NOTE Good shoes are recommended. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

4h30Authentic

Included

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Mycenae and Nafplio

According to Greek mythology, Perseus founded Mycenae. He used Cyclopes to build the citadel walls so that no human could move them. The earliest mention of the city appears in Homer’s works. Join us for a tour of this fascinating center of Greek civilization and former military stronghold. Notable curiosities include the Lion Gate access way and the circular burial areas. The ruins are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as they played a vital role in the development of Classical Greece from the 15th to 12th centuries BC. The Mycenaean culture is the source of ancient epics and legends such as the labors of Hercules, the Trojan War, and Agamemnon’s tragic life and death. We’ll then continue on to Nafplio, founded by the son of Poseidon as recounted in Greek mythology. Have fun discovering this charming, romantic city dominated by the Palamidi Fortress high on the hill. We’ll also see the Bourtzi Castle, built by an Italian engineer in 1473, just off the coast of the city. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

Authentic

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